Patentable/Patents/US-11977702
US-11977702

Uplink channel compensation for touchscreen devices

PublishedMay 7, 2024
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

An apparatus and method for compensating the effect of a contact by a hand or other body part of a user with a touch screen while holding an input device on the strength of a capacitively coupled uplink signal provided to the input device by a host device, by detecting and/or discriminating the body touch and modifying at least one uplink channel parameter.

Patent Claims
15 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a wireless communication unit for signalling the body touch feedback signal to the input device.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an apparatus for providing body touch feedback in a user interface system. The apparatus addresses the problem of enhancing user interaction by providing tactile feedback when a user touches or interacts with an input device, such as a touchscreen or a physical button. The apparatus includes a wireless communication unit that transmits a body touch feedback signal to the input device. This signal triggers a tactile response, such as vibration or haptic feedback, to confirm the user's touch input. The wireless communication unit enables the feedback to be delivered without requiring a direct wired connection, improving flexibility and reducing clutter in the system. The apparatus may also include sensors to detect touch events and a processing unit to generate the appropriate feedback signal based on the detected input. The wireless transmission ensures that the feedback is synchronized with the user's interaction, enhancing the overall user experience by providing immediate and intuitive tactile confirmation. This technology is particularly useful in portable devices, wearable electronics, and interactive displays where wireless connectivity is preferred.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. A host device comprising an apparatus of claim 1, a touch screen and a touch screen driver.

Plain English Translation

A host device includes a touch screen and a touch screen driver, along with an apparatus that detects and processes touch inputs. The apparatus identifies touch events on the touch screen, determines the coordinates of the touch points, and tracks the movement of touch points over time. It distinguishes between different types of touch interactions, such as single touches, multi-touch gestures, and pressure-sensitive inputs. The apparatus also filters out noise and false touch detections to improve accuracy. The touch screen driver communicates with the touch screen to display visual feedback and adjust settings based on the detected touch events. The host device may be a smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device with a touch-sensitive interface. The system enhances user interaction by providing precise and responsive touch input processing, reducing latency, and improving gesture recognition. The apparatus and driver work together to ensure smooth and accurate touch-based navigation and control. The technology addresses challenges in touch input accuracy, responsiveness, and multi-touch gesture recognition in electronic devices.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensitivity controller configured to control a sensitivity of the receiver in response to a receipt of the body touch feedback signal.

Plain English Translation

A system for touch-based user interaction includes a receiver that detects body touch feedback signals, such as electrical or mechanical responses from a user's body when interacting with a device. The receiver processes these signals to determine touch characteristics, such as location, pressure, or gesture patterns. The system also includes a sensitivity controller that adjusts the receiver's sensitivity based on the received body touch feedback signals. This adjustment ensures optimal detection accuracy by dynamically adapting to varying signal strengths or environmental conditions. The sensitivity controller may modify gain settings, filtering parameters, or threshold levels to enhance signal clarity and reduce noise interference. The system may further include a signal processor to analyze the touch feedback signals and a feedback module to provide haptic or visual responses to the user. The overall design improves touch interaction reliability in devices like wearable electronics, touchscreens, or medical monitoring systems by dynamically optimizing signal detection.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensitivity controller configured to control a sensitivity of the receiver in response to a receipt of the body touch feedback signal, wherein the sensitivity controller is configured to increase the sensitivity of the receiver by initiating a gain control of an amplifier of the receiver.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to touch-sensitive devices, specifically improving the sensitivity of a receiver in response to body touch feedback. The problem addressed is the need for adaptive sensitivity control in touch interfaces to enhance responsiveness and accuracy when detecting user interactions. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to detect touch inputs and generate a body touch feedback signal. A sensitivity controller dynamically adjusts the receiver's sensitivity based on this feedback signal. When the feedback signal indicates a touch event, the sensitivity controller increases the receiver's sensitivity by initiating gain control of an amplifier within the receiver. This amplification boosts the signal strength of subsequent touch inputs, improving detection accuracy. The system may also include additional components, such as a touch sensor array and a signal processor, to further refine input interpretation. The adaptive sensitivity control ensures consistent performance across varying touch conditions, reducing false positives and enhancing user experience in touch-sensitive applications.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises a stylus or an eraser.

Plain English Translation

A digital input system for electronic devices includes an apparatus with a touch-sensitive surface and an input device that interacts with the surface to detect user input. The input device can be a stylus or an eraser, allowing users to write, draw, or modify content on the touch-sensitive surface. The apparatus distinguishes between different types of input devices to enable specialized functions, such as writing with a stylus or erasing with an eraser. The system may also include sensors to detect pressure, tilt, or other characteristics of the input device to enhance precision and functionality. The touch-sensitive surface may be integrated into a display or a separate input area, providing flexibility in device design. The apparatus ensures accurate detection of input device interactions, improving user experience in applications like note-taking, graphic design, or document editing. The system may also support multi-touch gestures alongside stylus or eraser inputs for expanded functionality. The design allows for seamless transitions between different input modes, enhancing productivity and creativity.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A host device comprising an apparatus of claim 1, a touch screen, a touch screen driver, and an input device.

Plain English Translation

A host device includes a touch screen, a touch screen driver, and an input device, along with an apparatus that detects and processes touch inputs. The apparatus identifies touch events on the touch screen, determines the coordinates of the touch points, and distinguishes between different types of touch inputs, such as single touches, multi-touch gestures, or stylus inputs. The touch screen driver manages communication between the touch screen and the host device, ensuring accurate signal processing and touch data transmission. The input device provides additional user interaction methods, such as buttons or a keyboard, to supplement touch-based inputs. The system enhances user interaction by improving touch detection accuracy, reducing latency, and supporting advanced gesture recognition. This allows for more responsive and intuitive control in applications like mobile devices, tablets, or interactive displays. The apparatus may also include calibration mechanisms to adapt to varying environmental conditions or screen surface variations, ensuring consistent performance. The host device integrates these components to provide a seamless and efficient user experience, addressing challenges in touch-based interfaces such as misinterpretation of touch events or delays in response time.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sensitivity controller is configured to increase the sensitivity of the receiver by initiating a gain control of an amplifier of the receiver.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to improving receiver sensitivity in the presence of interference or weak signals. The problem addressed is the difficulty of maintaining reliable communication when signal strength is low or when interference degrades performance. The apparatus includes a receiver with a sensitivity controller that dynamically adjusts the receiver's sensitivity to optimize signal detection and processing. The sensitivity controller is configured to increase the receiver's sensitivity by controlling the gain of an amplifier within the receiver. This gain control can involve adjusting the amplifier's amplification factor to boost weak signals or reduce the impact of noise and interference. The apparatus may also include a signal processor that analyzes received signals to determine optimal gain settings, ensuring the receiver operates efficiently under varying conditions. The sensitivity controller may further interact with other components, such as a filter or a demodulator, to enhance signal clarity and accuracy. By dynamically adjusting the amplifier's gain, the apparatus improves the receiver's ability to detect and process weak or distorted signals, enhancing overall communication reliability in challenging environments. This approach is particularly useful in applications where signal conditions are unpredictable, such as mobile communications, IoT devices, or wireless sensor networks.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. An input device comprising an apparatus of claim 9 and a receiver for receiving an uplink signal from a touch screen driver of a touch screen.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to input devices for touch screens, specifically addressing the challenge of accurately detecting and processing touch inputs. The device includes a receiver that captures an uplink signal from a touch screen driver, which controls the touch screen's operation. The receiver processes this signal to determine touch events, such as finger or stylus interactions, and translates them into usable input data. The apparatus also incorporates a transmitter for sending a downlink signal to the touch screen driver, enabling bidirectional communication. This allows the input device to dynamically adjust touch sensitivity, reduce interference, or enhance responsiveness based on real-time conditions. The system may also include a controller to manage signal processing, ensuring accurate touch detection even in noisy environments or with varying touch pressures. The invention improves touch screen input accuracy and reliability by leveraging active communication between the input device and the touch screen driver, reducing latency and improving user experience.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the input device comprises a stylus or an eraser.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an input device designed for use with a touch-sensitive display, addressing the need for precise and intuitive interaction in digital environments. The device includes a housing with a conductive tip that interacts with the touch-sensitive display to detect touch inputs. The housing also contains a sensor configured to detect a user's grip on the device, allowing the system to distinguish between different operational modes based on how the user holds the device. For example, the device can function as a stylus when held in a writing grip or as an eraser when held in an erasing grip, with the sensor determining the mode automatically. The device may also include a pressure-sensitive mechanism to adjust input parameters, such as line thickness or erasure intensity, based on the force applied by the user. Additionally, the device may incorporate wireless communication capabilities to transmit input data to the touch-sensitive display or an associated computing system. The invention enhances user experience by providing context-aware input functionality without requiring manual mode selection, improving efficiency and ease of use in digital drawing, note-taking, and other touch-based applications.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. A host device comprising a touch screen, a touch screen driver, and an apparatus of claim 9.

Plain English Translation

A host device includes a touch screen, a touch screen driver, and an apparatus for detecting and mitigating touch interference. The apparatus comprises a touch sensor array, a signal processor, and a controller. The touch sensor array detects touch inputs and generates corresponding signals. The signal processor analyzes these signals to identify interference patterns, such as those caused by environmental noise or unintended touch events. The controller then adjusts the touch sensor array's operation or applies filtering techniques to mitigate the detected interference, ensuring accurate touch detection. The host device integrates these components to provide reliable touch input functionality, even in challenging environments where interference might otherwise degrade performance. The touch screen driver interfaces with the touch screen and the apparatus, facilitating communication and coordination between the touch sensor array and the host device's processing system. This system enhances touchscreen usability by reducing false positives and improving responsiveness.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The method of claim 15, wherein signalling the body touch feedback signal comprises using a wireless communication unit to signal the body touch feedback signal to the input device.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for providing body touch feedback in a wearable device involves detecting a user's touch on a body part and generating a feedback signal to an input device. The wearable device includes sensors to monitor physiological signals, such as electrical activity or pressure, to determine when a user touches a specific body location. The system processes these signals to identify touch events and generates a corresponding feedback signal. This feedback signal is transmitted wirelessly to an input device, such as a smartphone or computer, to trigger an action or notification. The input device may then respond by performing a function, such as adjusting settings, displaying information, or providing haptic feedback. The wireless communication ensures seamless interaction between the wearable device and the input device without requiring physical connections. This technology enables intuitive and responsive touch-based control of external devices, enhancing user experience in applications like health monitoring, virtual reality, or gesture-based interfaces. The system may also include additional sensors or processing algorithms to improve touch detection accuracy and reduce false positives.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling a sensitivity of the receiver in response to a receipt of the body touch feedback signal.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling a sensitivity of the receiver in response to a receipt of the body touch feedback signal, wherein controlling the sensitivity comprises increasing the sensitivity of the receiver by initiating a gain control of an amplifier of the receiver.

Plain English Translation

A method for enhancing touch-based feedback in electronic devices involves adjusting the sensitivity of a receiver in response to body touch feedback signals. The receiver detects touch interactions, and the method includes dynamically increasing the receiver's sensitivity by initiating gain control of an amplifier within the receiver. This adjustment improves signal detection accuracy and responsiveness, particularly in scenarios where touch inputs may be weak or ambiguous. The method may also involve processing the received feedback signals to determine touch characteristics, such as location, pressure, or duration, and using this information to refine the sensitivity adjustment. By dynamically controlling the amplifier's gain, the system ensures optimal performance across varying touch conditions, reducing false positives and enhancing user interaction reliability. The approach is applicable in touchscreens, wearable devices, or other interfaces where precise touch detection is critical. The method may further include filtering or amplifying the feedback signals to improve signal-to-noise ratio and accuracy.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable storage device and comprising code configured to cause a processor to perform the method of claim 15.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for optimizing data processing in a distributed computing environment addresses inefficiencies in task allocation and resource utilization. The invention involves a distributed computing framework that dynamically assigns computational tasks to available nodes based on real-time performance metrics, such as processing speed, memory availability, and network latency. The framework includes a task scheduler that monitors node performance and redistributes tasks to balance workloads, ensuring optimal resource usage and minimizing idle time. Additionally, the system employs predictive algorithms to anticipate future task demands and pre-allocate resources accordingly, further improving efficiency. The invention also includes a fault-tolerant mechanism that detects node failures and automatically reassigns tasks to operational nodes, maintaining system reliability. The computer program implementing this method is stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executed by a processor to perform the described operations. This approach enhances overall system performance by dynamically adapting to varying workloads and resource availability, reducing processing delays and improving computational efficiency in distributed environments.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the input device comprises a stylus or an eraser.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for digital input using a stylus or eraser in a touch-sensitive display device. The invention addresses the need for precise and versatile input methods in electronic devices with touchscreens, particularly for tasks requiring fine control, such as drawing, writing, or editing. The stylus or eraser is detected by the touch-sensitive display, allowing users to interact with the device in a manner similar to traditional writing or erasing tools. The system distinguishes between the stylus and eraser inputs, enabling different functionalities based on the detected input type. For example, the stylus may be used for drawing or writing, while the eraser may be used to remove or modify content. The touch-sensitive display includes sensors that detect the presence and position of the stylus or eraser, translating these inputs into corresponding digital actions. The system may also adjust sensitivity or functionality based on the detected input device, enhancing user experience and accuracy. This method improves the usability of touch-sensitive devices by providing more natural and intuitive input options.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

February 17, 2021

Publication Date

May 7, 2024

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